DDS4 the device reported an error on request to write data to media Error reported hardware failure

Hi,

First I'll state my hardware and Software configuration.
Windows 2000 Pro Workstation
Fully Service packed/patched up
Ntbackup (built in application)

Hardware
Inetel Pentium 4
Tekram DC-395 WU SCSI Card (latest BIOS) using Latest Tekram Drivers
Compaq/HP DDS4 SCSI Tape Drive Using Microsoft Driver 5.0.2195.6717 (I have
tried this with the HP driver too)

The problem.

I attempt to backup a partition on my workstation. The size is approx 15 gig
of data.
I start the backup and it starts to run. I get approx 15 to 40 minutes into
the backup and get the following error
the device reported an error on request to write data to media Error
reported hardware failure

All the device stats check out, I have cleaned the tape drive, tried
different tapes, turned on / off hardware compression tried a DDS3 tape.

I am not sure what to try next, no devices report errors. The drivers are
all up to date. I have tried other drivers, I am not using 3rd party backups
software.

Has anyone seen this, know how to fix it, or have any suggestions on
debugging it ?

Thanks,

Matt.